Dissident writer Sviatłana Kurs dies of cancer at 54

July 20, Pozirk. Belarus’ renowned author Sviatłana Kurs, who wrote under the pen name of Jeva Viežnaviec, died in Warsaw at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer.
Born in a village in the Minsk region in 1972, Kurs graduated from the philology department of Belarusian State University in 1994. She was a contributor to Nasha Niva, Euroradio, Belsat, which have been branded “extremist” as part of the Łukašenka regime’s crackdown on opponents since 2020.
Kurs moved to Poland in 2006. In 2021, she won the prestigious Jerzy Giedroyc Literary Award for her novel Pa Što Idzeš, Voŭča (What Now, Mr Wolf?).
In May 2025, Kurs was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. BySol appealed for public donations for her treatment, asking for 10,000 euros and eventually raising almost 20,000 euros.
In March 2026, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja presented Kurs with the United Transitional Cabinet’s medal for her contribution to Belarusian culture.
In a message of condolences, Cichanoŭskaja described the writer’s death as a “great loss for all Belarus.” “She was an inspiration for everyone who loved Belarus and did something for the Belarusian cause,” Cichanoŭskaja wrote. “We will greatly miss you, Sviatłana, your words, your books, your advice and wise thoughts.”
Opposition cabinet to award medals to outstanding Belarusians, Ukrainians
- SocietyLithuania arrests six over cigarette smuggling from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyVacancies for foreigners in Belarus up 23 percent in two monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityDrone attack disrupts Russia-bound flights from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCoE body head ready to foster ties between Belarus’ opposition and UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyNew apartment construction down 23 percent since 2021 in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka criticizes government over MAZ plant’s performanceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Security, SocietyLithuania arrests another border guard in Belarus-linked smuggling caseThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine, Russia swap prisoners in Belarus in 11th exchange this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityKubrakoŭ reports surge in cyberattacks targeting interior ministry this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy, PoliticsŁukašenka slams Belarusian manufacturer of Stadler trainsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMozambique president interested in boosting economic ties, Belarusian foreign ministry saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPoland seizes 21,000 packs of cigarettes smuggled using balloonsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsForty people removed from “terrorist” list since MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyMore migrants cross irregularly from Belarus into LithuaniaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus reports 4-percent rise in unprofitable companies since 2021The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus welcomes France’s tough stance on suppressing unrest – foreign ministryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBryansk governor: Belarusian truck driver wounded in drone strikeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka reassures Moscow of Belarus' commitment to military allianceThe material is available only to POZIRK+



